Frame for processing photographic cut sheet film

ABSTRACT

For developing and washing cut sheet film a frame is provided having a generally planar base and four side walls that are separated from one another at their corners. Partitions divide the frame into compartments, one for each sheet to be processed. The base has a plurality of apertures, one for each compartment; and the compartments are slightly wider and longer than the film sheets to permit some very limited movement of the sheets in the compartments; but the walls and the partitions are of a height to retain the film during processing. In use, the frame with the film sheets therein is dipped in a conventional tray containing developer, or water or other processing liquid and moved primarily laterally to cause the liquid to flow into and out of the corners of the frame and between compartments and under and over the sheets therein.

J elinek [111 I 3,792,489 5] Feb. 12,1974

FRAME FOR IROCESSING PIIOTOGRAPIIIC CUT SHEET FILM [76] Inventor: HugoG. Jelinek, 118 Clearview Dr.,

, Pittsford, NY. 14534 [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 325,215

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.205,062, Dec. 6,

1973, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 95/100, 95/98 [51] Int. Cl. G03d 13/08 [58] Field of Search95/95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 546,347 9/1895 Rood 95/95503,144 8/1893 Kern et a1. 95/99 2,489,548 11/1949 'Ullman 95/100773,358 10/1904 Weed 95/100 961,808 6/1910 Sherwood... 95/100 3,561,9602/1971 Cronig 95/89 X Primary ExaminerJohn M. Horan v Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Schlesinger, Fitzsimmons & Schlesinger [57] ABSTRACT -Fordeveloping and washing cut sheet film a frame is provided having agenerally planar base and four side walls that are separated from oneanother at their corners. Partitions divide the frame into compartments,

one for each sheet to be processed. The base has a plurality ofapertures, one for each compartment; and

moved primarily laterally to cause the liquid to flow into and out ofthe corners of the frame and between compartments and under and overthesheets therein.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIE FEB 1 21914 SHEEI 1 0F 3 INVENTOR.HUGO JELINEK Pmmen im 3,792,489

sum 3 0F 53 INVENTOR.

HUGO JE L INE K FRAME .FoR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC CUT SHEET FILM Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No.205,062, filed Dec. 6, 1971, and now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a frame for holding cut photographicsheet film for processing.

For many years photo-sheet-film (also called cut film) negatives andtransparencies have been processed tives in-vertical developing tanks. 1

In the horizontal processing the film to be developed has been held atthe corner or any other convenient place. However, the soft emulsion caneasily be damaged by the hand or fingers. The movement of the sheet filmnegative, or transparency, hereinafter referred to as film, manuallycannot produce the regular and irregular movement necessary to obtaineven development throughout the emulsion. Furthermore, in the horizontalprocessing of multiple amounts of film by hand, socalled shuffling isemployed, that is, movement of every sheet in a pack from top to bottomwith the result that the development is even more uneven, and the filmsare often damaged. For these reasons color material could not beprocessed in multiples.

In processing multiple sheet film in vertical holders or frames bulkyvertical tanks are required; and the movement of the tanks has to beconfined primarily to vertical movement with just some slight lateralmovement in both directions. However, the limited movement and pressureof the liquids causes irregularitiesin densities in the emulsion, whichresults in many cases in apparent smudges on the positives made laterfrom the developed film.

In both mentioned methods, the films therefore did not receivesufficient regular and irregular motion, which is very necessary toproduce even development and density. Furthermore, the danger of seriousdamage by mounting the films in vertical frames before development andin dismounting them after has been great. Still further, the danger ofserious damage in transporting the frames to as many as ten differentvertical tanks for color processing hasalso' beengreat. contaminatingthe hands with droplets of chemicals during transport of the film fromone bath to the other and unconsciously allowing the chemicals to dropon the films, causes spots. Moreover, with both prior methods, theamount of chemicals used, was extensive. Still further, drying of therequired metal frames for renewed use has been difficult and lengthy. Ifa single droplet of developer remained hidden in a frames groove, thefilm could get stuck in the groove and be damaged or ruined altogether.Additionally, the cost of rust-free holders and tanks is very high.Furthermore, the negative could easily fall out of a frame duringmounting or development or manipulation, and be ruin' ed. Moreover,those holders, which have clips in the frames to hold them tight, leavedistinctive marks on the process films, and in many instances damage theimage. Only when highly mechanized, extremely extensiveand sophisticatedequipment has been used, could vertical frames were employed fordeveloping negathe mentioned deficiencies of prior processing andequipment be prevented.

A primary object-of this invention is to provide a frame and a methodfor processing cut film which will reduce very materially, andsubstantially obviate, the possibility of damage and smudging of filmduring pro cessing. v 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a developing frame whichwill materially shorten the time required for developing cut film.

A further object of the invention is to provide a processing frame withwhich cut film can be processed without touching the film by hand or byany other means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame for the purposedescribed with which cut film may not only be developed but washed andin less time than previously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame for processing cutfilm with which the film may be transferred from one step in thedeveloping process to another without touching the film.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from thespecification and from the recital of the appended claims particularlywhen read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame made according to one embodimentof this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 looking inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the frame shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of frame;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of still another modification of the invention;and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section on the line 66 of FIG. 5 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive, there is shown a frame forprocessing black and white and color sheet film photographic negativesand sheet film transparencies either singly or a plurality at the sametime. This frame may be plastic or made of any rust-free material. It isgenerally rectangular in shape in plan view,'and has a base 1 and fourside walls 2 perpendicular to the base; The side walls have beveled endsat the corners of the frame; and their upper edges are rounded toprevent scratching the film. Beveling enables the liquid chemical orwater to enter and flow out of the frame freely at the corners. Two ofthe shorter walls have integral handles 5 for easy manipulation of theframe during processing.

Partitions 3 of semi-oval shape are provided within the walls of theframe of the same height as the walls. These partitions are spaced fromthe side walls, and are arranged in pairs at right angles to one anotherto form four separate compartments in the frame illustrated. The spacingof the partitions from the side walls is to allow sufficient liquid topass easily from one compartment to another.

The compartments, no matter how many of them there are, are alwayslarger in area than the area of the film. For instance, if the film is 4inches X 5 inches in area, each compartment will be 4% inches X 5%inches in size to enable the film to move freely in each compartment andenable the chemical to flow from the bottom over the top of the film andfrom one compartment to another.

A semi-oval opening 4 is provided in the base o'f each compartment andextending from one of the partitions, that defines the compartment,about two-thirds of the length of the compartment. These semi-ovalopenings can be formed by striking up the partitions from the base ofthe frame. The openings 4 enable the liquid to penetrate easily intoeach compartment when the frame is immersed in a conventional developingor washing tray, and these openings allow the liquid to spread evenlyfrom under the film to its sides and over the top emulsion layer, due toalternate pressure and suction when slight vertical movement of theframe is provided. I

In order to process sheet film in a frame made according to thisinvention, the film has to be pre-wet because when the film is soaked itwill drop to the bottom of the frame. The film can be soaked for one anda half to two minutes. Then the water or other wetting liquid is drainedout of the frame and the frame with the film in it is carried to thedeveloping tank. The frame is then manipulated by grasping the handles 5and is moved sidewise in the tray of developing liquid so as to spreadthe developing liquid evenly over and under the film. The motionsidewise in all directions results in regularity in the image developedon the film. Furthermore, this method of developing film shortens thedeveloping time. The more the negative is moved, the faster thedevelopment works; and it has been found in practice that the developingtime may be reduced as much as percent to percent using a frame madeaccording to the present invention. The length of developing timedepends on the manufacturers recommendation with respect tohand-processing in a tray.

For processing color film, 10 to 12 steps are required. With the frameof this invention, the film can be'transported from one step to anotherwithout-touching the film. After development, the film is, of course,washed; and washing may be effected in the same frame in which the filmwas developed. The holes in the frame permit the liquid, whetherdeveloper or water, to jet faster to the sheet film. They also permitdraining of the developing liquid or water from the frame faster.Furthermore, when the frame is lifted a little, the pressure or suction,makes the developing liquid or water, go underneath the film, and up ontop of it. The walls of the tray prevent the film from floating out ofthe frame.

Instead of oval-shaped openings in the base of the frame, circularopenings may be employed as shown in FIG. 4 at 8. In this case thepartitions 7 are preferably rectangular pieces perpendicular to the base1 of the frame and adhered thereto in any suitable manner. For a tray ofthe size shown, the round openings are prefer ably 2% inches indiameter, and are located reasonably centrally of each compartment.

When processing smaller or larger films in frames, all the measurementsof the frame will be in proportion to the size of the film sheets to beprocessed except for the height of the frame which will ordinarily beconstant, regardless of the size of the sheets, in practice 3 inches.This is due to the amount and level of the chemical or water in thestandard tray with which the frame will be used. However, it is to beunderstood that when other than standard trays are used, the height ofthe walls 2 and partitions 4 will be modified to be equal ap- 4proximately to the height of the walls of the'tray with which the frameis to be used.

Of course, the amount of liquid chemicals employed will depend upon thenumber of film sheets processed simultaneously for instance, one thirdounce of developer, or more, for each 4 X 5 inch film sheet. The liquidlevel must be at least one inch above the base plate 1. On the otherhand, the depth of liquid in the frame must not exceed 2% inches so thefilm sheets cannot floatover the partitions from one compartment to theother or over the walls of the frame during vigorous washing.

For use, the exposed, dry film sheets are put into the compartments ofthe frame horizontally, emulsion side up, one sheet in each compartment.Then the frame, held and tilted at approximately 30, is immersed, for 2minutes, in a conventional slightly larger photo processing traycontaining clear water. The film sheets soak up the water and sink tothe bottom of each compartment. Then the frame is removed and immersedat approximately a 30 angle in a tray containing the developer; and forfurther processing is immersed in the same fashion in trays containingother chemicals. In each tray the frame, with the film sheets in it, ismoved manually horizontally first in one direction and then in theother, always in the same manner, to achieve even development in everystage all over the emulsion and also at the backside of the film. Afterprocessing, the film sheets are taken out of the last solution and hungto dry.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, thepartitions are made from plastic straps or ribbons that are bent to ovalshape and that have their ends 10 inserted through openings 11 in thebottom of the tray, and passed underneath the bottom and upward throughopenings 12 in the bottom of the tray to overlie the portion of the traybottom between adjacent openings 12. Otherwise, the tray is constructedand used in the same manner as the trays of FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive. Theplastic straps or ribbons are readily removable so that a single framecan handle different size film sheets.

The following are some examples of sizes of frames made for useaccording to the present invention:

lel.

For processing two film sheets simultaneously, the frame would be 5 X 7inches in area. This frame has a base plate 1 l X 7% inches, twocompartments, and one circular opening 2% inches in diameter in eachcompartment preferably offset somewhat from center, and with onepartition between each compartment. All the other features ofconstruction remain the same.

@SEIBR Q A frame for processing a single film sheet 8 X 10 inches. Thisframe will have a base plate 8 inches X 10 %inches. In this case thereare four openings, 2%

inches in diameter instead of only one. The openings are placed in thecenter of eachquarter of the base plate. All other features remain thesame as mentioned above with reference to the 4 X 5 inch example.

The frames can be produced at very low cost from plastic materials. Theyare very light and easily transportable. The construction eliminates useof expensive metal film holders which must be chromium plated and ratherstrong and expensive, and which require bulky vertical tanks fordevelopment. No hand manipulation of the sheet film itself is requiredwith the single or multiple film holders of the present invention. Theamount of chemicals required for processing several sheet films is alsomaterially reduced. The processing time is reduced by as much as 40percent due to the more irregular frequentmovement during developmentwhich is possible with the frame of the present invention. Because theprocessing is with the film horizontal much better results are achieved,and smudges and irregular densities are avoided. The frame of thisinvention permits shower rinsing of film for washing in betweenprocessing with different chemicals; and thus shortens the wash timeconsiderably, a feature especially useful in color processing. Due totheir simple form, frames made according to the present invention canvery easily be cleaned and dried quickly immediately after use. Sinceframes made according to the present invention require much less space,they can be stored in conventional photo trays.

While the invention has been described in connection with severaldifferent embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capableof further modification, and this application is intended to cover anymodifications of the invention, coming within the scope of the inventionand the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A frame for processing cut photographic film comprising a generallyplanar, rectangular shaped base plate having at least two aperturestherein,

four side walls extending from said base plate perpendicular thereto anddefining a generally rectangular shaped container, and

a partition between each two apertures extending from said base plateperpendicular thereto of approximately the same height as said sidewalls but being separated from the side walls and defining with saidside walls a plurality of rectangularly shaped compartments, one foreach aperture,

said walls being beveled at their ends to provide openings betweenadjacent walls through which liquid can flwo into and out of the frame,and

said partitions being removable plastic ribbons whose ends are passedthrough openings in the base plate under the base plate and up throughother openings in the base plate and rest on the base plate to securethem in position.

1. A frame for processing cut photographic film comprising a generallyplanar, rectangular shaped base plate having at least two aperturestherein, four side walls extending from said base plate perpendicularthereto and defining a generally rectangular shaped container, and apartition between each two apertures extending from said base plateperpendicular thereto of approximately the same height as said sidewalls but being separated from the side walls and defining with saidside walls a plurality of rectangularly shaped compartments, one foreach aperture, said walls being beveled at their ends to provideopenings between adjacent walls through which liquid can flwo into andout of the frame, and said partitions being removable plastic ribbonswhose ends are passed through openings in the base plate under the baseplate and up through other openings in the base plate and rest on thebase plate to secure them in position.